Michele E. Buttelman: SCV leaders of character

SCV Scene

How high will your Southern California Edison electricity bill be for the last month? I’m afraid ... very afraid!

Kudos to Leaders of Character honoreesThe Boy Scouts of America and event title sponsor Total Financial Solutions have announced the honorees for the fourth annual Santa Clarita Valley Leaders of Character Recognition event to be Sept. 26. The list of distinguished honorees from Santa Clarita Valley business, government, and philanthropy include Bill and Cathy Kennedy, Rick and Ann Patterson, and Joe and Barbara Schulman. The honor is presented annually to individuals and couples who personify the character, values, and leadership demonstrated in the Boy Scout Oath and Law in their daily life.

The recipients will be honored at a dinner reception held at the Valencia Hyatt Regency. The 2009 recipients join a growing and distinguished fraternity of community and business leaders including past recipients: Gary and Myrna Condie, Carl and Jeri Goldman, Bob Kellar, Kevin and Marilyn Malone, Larry G. and Sue Mankin, Harold and Jacquie Petersen, Larry and Peggy Rasmussen, Dianne and Roger Van Hook and Jim Ventress. For attendance or sponsorship inquiries contact David Kline at (818) 933-0106 or e-mail dkline@bsa-la.org.

Grandmother and Me Tea PartyGrandmothers of America will host the inaugural ‘Grandmother and Me Tea Party’ to be held 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23 at the Plaza Banquet Hall in Newhall. It’s a day to celebrate grandmothers and mothers, too. Tickets are $38 for adults and $28 for children (ages 5-12). Includes lunch, dessert, tea and a lovely fashion show. Raffle tickets available for gift baskets.

There will be a crowning of the first SCV Queen Grandmother and SCV Queen Mother 2009. You may nominate your grandmother or mother with a brief mention as to why she should be awarded the 2009 crown and title. Wear your “tea attire,” which is Sunday best including hats, gloves and handbags. Prizes awarded for the best dressed. This is the day to celebrate generations of women and all that they do and have done for their family and others. Deadline for nominations and tickets is Aug. 12. For information e-mail MissSCVProgram@aol.com.

John Dean in the SCVHow often does a major historical figure come to the SCV?

John Dean, counsel to Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal, whose key testimony before Congress riveted the nation, is coming to the SCV to discuss his book “Blind Ambition,” the story of Watergate. The Democratic Alliance for Action is the proud sponsor of this event, which is free to the public. Dean will speak on Aug. 15 at 6 p.m. at St. Stephens Episcopal Church, 2490 Orchard Village Road, Valencia. Check www.daa.org for updates or call (661) 309-4322.

Festival of the ArtsComing Oct. 3-4 the Santa Clarita Festival of the Arts, sponsored by Lockheed Federal Credit Union, will highlight a spectrum of artistic talent in Old Town Newhall. This free outdoor festival will be located along Main Street between Lyons Avenue and 5th Street. Watch street painters, visual, digital, and multimedia artists create works of art, from a beginning conception to the final masterpiece.

The Festival of the Arts features a variety of artisans creating artwork, such as woodcarving, plein air painting, sculptures, and pottery, as well as live entertainment. Among the many opportunities to participate in the Festival is the Art Stop Project. The Festival of the Arts seeks to commission 10 works for the Art Stop Project, an Art in Public Places program. Artists using a variety of medium including photography, paint, multimedia, etc. are encouraged to submit existing or new works based on the theme, “Watch Art! Create Art! Live Art!” Artists may submit no more than two pieces for consideration. Download an application at www.scfestivalofthearts.com/project.asp.

Michele E. Buttelman is the features editor of The Signal. She can be reached by e-mail at mbuttelman@the-signal.com.